POEMS 


BY 


ELLA  WOODWARD  FCXDTE 


f\J 


O 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GIFT    OF 


Class 


q    J/wu^ 

3  u 

hr. 


-vCU^      iqo 

CT 


•QOEMS  BY 

ELLA  WOODWARD  FOOTE. 


THREE  HUNDRED  COPIES  OF 
THESE  POEMS  HAVE  BEEN 
PRINTED  AT  THE  PIEDMONT 
PRESS  OF  G.  ARTHUR  KELLEY 
AT  OAKLAND,  CALIFORNIA, 
AND  THE  TYPE  DISTRIBUTED. 


ENTERED  ACCORDING  TO  ACT 
OF  CONGRESS,  IN  THE  YEAR 
1898,  BY  G,  ARTHUR  KELLEY, 
IN  THE  OFFICE  OF  THE  LIBRA- 
RIAN OF  CONGRESS  AT  WASH- 
INGTON, D,  C. 


POEMS 


BY 


ELLA  WOODWARD  FOOTE. 


OAKLAND,      CALIFORNIA. 

GEO.   ARTHUR   KELLEY. 

MDCCCXCVIII. 


CONTENTS. 

BALLADE  OF  DEDICATION  PAGE  \ 

ENVOI 

THIS  SUMMER  DAY 

A  GREETING 

SPRING  SONG  5 

BRAVADO  6 

MINOR  THIRDS 

A  CHOICE 

THE  MASK  9 

MARIA  ADDOLORATA  JO 

SELF  DECEPTION  J  * 

DISCIPLINE  J2 

PREMONITION  *3 

SLEEP  I4 

A  CONTRAST  *5 

LETTERS  *6 

WITHHELD  * 7 

THE  FIELD-GLASS  J  8 

COMPARISON  19 

PRAYER  20 

A  HOLIDAY  2J 

THE  GREAT  LOSS 

RECOMPENSE  23 

QUESTION 

DROUGHT  25 

GRIEF  26 

LESSONS 

THE  STRATAGEM 

FAITHFUL  FAILURE 

LIFE'S  GIFT 

PROTEST  3I 

TO 

REPROOF  TO  SPRING 

RESIGNATION  34 

CUPID'S  WAY 

APRIL 

DELAY 

THE  BARGAIN 

SUNSET 

ASPIRATION  40 

173691 


BALLADE  OF  DEDICATION. 

RHYME,  in  these  fin  de  siecle  days, 
Has  for  defender  many  a  wight, 
For  every  deed  must  have  its  praise, 

So  every  one,  forsooth,  must  write* 
I  fm  half  inclined  to  add  my  mite, 

And  flaunt  abroad  a  stocking  blue  - 
On  second  thought  I  fll  hide  my  light, 
And  write  a  book  that  fs  all  for  you ! 

One  passes  on  through  life's  strange  maze, 

Where  part  is  laughter,  most  is  fight  - 
Sometimes  it  seems  it  hardly  pays 

When  life  is  in  such  sorry  plight, 
To  try  and  keep  the  conscience  white* 

Why  not  another  art  pursue, 
Forsake  the  thorny  pathway  quite, 

And  write  a  book  that  fs  all  for  you  ? 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 

kV  OF 


Trouble,  it  seems,  has  many  ways 

Of  turning  morning  into  night; 
But  naught  a  plucky  heart  dismays,  - 

If  one  good  friend  but  keeps  in  sight 
He  sees  the  silver  lining  bright ! 

Would  I  might  prove  a  stay  as  true, 
Speed  every  trouble  on  its  flight, 

And  write  a  book  that 's  all  for  you ! 


ENVOL 

LADY,  the  trust  your  eyes  invite 

Is  my  excuse  for  what  I  do; 
Boldly  I  pen  these  verses  slight, 

And  write  a  book  that's  all  for  you* 


RONDEAUX. 


THIS  SUMMER  DAY. 
^T^HIS  summer  day  that  flits  so  fast, 
JL   Carries  its  hint  of  Autumn's  blast,  - 
A  fugitive,  without  the  art 
To  hide  from  us  its  alien  heart,  - 
I  know  you,  an  iconoclast ! 

Confess  the  secret  that  thou  hast, 
When  July's  skies,  so  cloudless,  vast, 
With  sad  October's  fancies  start, 
This  Summer  day! 

What  is  the  chain  that  links  the  past 
To  present  days,  too  bright  to  last,  - 

What  autumn  morning  left  its  dart 
Of  chill  remembrance  in  my  heart, 
That  with  its  shadow  can  o'er  cast 

This  Summer  day ! 


A  GREETING. 

YOU  'RE  thirty  five !    You  pass  to-day 
The  middle  milestone  on  your  way. 
And  half  of  all  you  mean  to  do 
Is  done,  and  half  your  journey  through* 
Goodbye  to  youth  which  cannot  stay! 

Old  Age,  whom  none  may  long  delay, 
Salutes  you,  much  to  your  dismay; 

You  can  ft  deny,  -  you  know  it  fs  true 
You  're  thirty  five ! 

I  send  to  you  this  roundelay, 

May  you  improve  as  you  grow  gray, 

Such  good  luck  happens  to  a  few; 

And  let  me  whisper  this  to  you  - 
To-day  reflect  and  frankly  say 

You  f re  thirty  five ! 


SPRING  SONG. 

Here  in  my  hand 
A  spray  of  pink  arbutus  bloom, 
Its  fragrance  fills  the  sunny  room; 

Once  more  I  stand. 

Love,  by  your  side,  and  watch  the  slow 
And  sweet  unfolding  of  the  Spring  - 
The  misty  clouds  that  come  and  go, 

The  birds  that  sing ! 

Why  is  it,  Dear, 

That  every  whispering  southern  breeze, 
Each  lengthening  shadow  of  the  trees, 

Brings  you  so  near  ? 

Sweetheart,  we  two 
Could  never  have  it  otherwise* 
It  is  not  loss  when  all  the  skies 

Bring  news  of  you, 
When  every  pattering  April  shower 
Brings  thought  or  memory  to  me,  - 
A  tiny  pink  arbutus  flower 

Brings  tears,  you  see,- 

And  yet  I  know 

I  would  not  spare  one  smallest  thing 
From  these  long  heartaches  that  they  bring  - 

I  love  you  so  ! 


BRAVADO* 

Ethis  light  mood  I  call  to  mind 
_  lid  hackneyed  phrase  the  poets  find, 
A  song  no  one  has  sung  as  yet  - 
44  How  to  be  happy,  though  in  debt' 
The  art  to  meet  Fate's  blow  unkind, 

To  face  defeat,  not  look  behind, 
And  in  life's  unremittent  grind, 
To  sing  rondeau  or  triolet 

In  this  light  mood* 

It  takes  a  vision  somewhat  blind 
To  see  each  cloud  with  silver  lined, 

And  stoic  heart  to  still  regret; 

Why  think  ?  'tis  better  to  forget,  - 
Many  's  the  mortgage  I  have  signed 
In  this  light  mood ! 


MINOR  THIRDS. 

NATURE  but  accents  life's  decree,  - 
The  soft  breeze  conies  from  far  away, 
And  sings,  but  in  a  minor  key* 

The  long  slant  shadows,  as  they  flee, 

Whisper  a  note  of  passing  day: 
Nature  but  accents  life's  decree* 

The  brook  flows  headlong  to  the  sea, 

Like  heedless  youth,  unthinking,  gay, 
And  sings,  but  in  a  minor  key* 

The  fleeting  season  heeds  no  plea, 

The  days,  relentless,  pass  for  aye  - 
Nature  but  accents  life's  decree* 

And  Hope,  -  God's  final  gift  to  be  - 

Lifts  with  faint  voice  a  quavering  lay, 
And  sings,  but  in  a  minor  key* 

Thus  Man  must  weave  a  melody 
With  the  Creation  as  he  may* 
Nature  but  accents  life's  decree, 
And  sings,  but  in  a  minor  key* 


SONNETS. 


A  CHOICE. 

44  TF  y°u  could  choose  among  all  noble  things, 
lOne  perfect  gift  to  fill  your  life  with  light, 
What  would  appear  most  regal  in  your  sight  ?  " 

Right  glad  am  I  the  idle  question  brings 

No  swift  decision  from  the  souPs  deep  springs* 
A  choice  ?     Nay,  -  a  confession  you  invite, 
The  dear  desire  hid  close  from  curious  sight 

Reveals  the  naked  heart  it  soothes  and  stings* 

Yet  well  I  know  earth's  highest  bliss  for  me,  - 
An  adept  in  dissimulation's  art  - 
To  freely  be  myself*  without  disguise, 

To  claim  from  life  my  birthright  fearlessly, 
To  speak  aloud  the  secret  of  my  heart  - 
Then  meet  unflinchingly  Godfs  searching  eyes  ! 


THE  MASK. 

ONE  passed  with  downcast  head  and  face  concealed, 
And  the  throng  gazed,  whispering  behind  the  hand: 
'T  was  said  he  wore  a  mask  to  hide  a  brand, 
Which  marked  a  hidden  crime  that  he  would  shield* 
And  since  no  question  would  an  answer  yield, 

They  grew  more  bold,  and  claimed  they  made  demand 
For  public  good,  -  that  men  might  understand 
That  naught  exists  which  shall  not  be  revealed. 

But  then  Death  came;  faithful  to  Lif e's  decree, 
He  kept  the  secret  well  in  his  own  way; 

The  long  imprisoned  face  had  grown  to  be 

Too  like  its  metal  mould  to  aught  betray,  - 

And  lying  side  by  side,  one  seemed  to  see 

The  perfect  bronze,  and  the  design  in  clay. 


MARIA  ADDOLORATA* 

LIFE  rent  the  veil  from  disillusioned  eyes, 
And  showed  thee  Heaven's  gate  and  Hell's  abyss* 
And  freely  offering  all  things,  grudged  not  this  - 
Supreme  temptation  as  its  crowning  prize* 
The  dignity  which  comes  with  sacrifice 
Transfigured  Sin  unto  the  nobler  bliss. 
And  measured  love  by  what  it  dared  to  miss*  - 
The  soul's  surrender  which  such  love  implies* 

Thy  keen  remorse  held  no  condoning  guess 

To  balance  what  had  been  with  what  might  be* 
( Sad  punishment  of  this*  our  later  day* ) 

Nor  peered  into  your  perfect  happiness 
With  sneering  comment  on  Eternity  - 
Doubt  of  that  Heaven  you  gladly  throw  away* 


SELF-DECEPTION. 

44  T  CHOOSE  to  drink  of  Life's  red  wine ! »  I  said  - 
JL  "  No  sovereign  but  myself  will  I  conf ess, 
I  stake  my  soul  against  sweet  happiness ! n 

Then  turning,  saw  with  veiled  averted  head, 

A  shadow  grim;  but  not  disquieted, 

I  laughed.   "  O  Death, "  said  I,  "  You  can  but  bless, 
Promise  that  when  you  see  me  comfortless 

You  will  draw  near  and  close  the  path  I  tread* n 

There  came  at  last  a  bitter,  bitter  day- 

Trembling,  I  sought  for  this  forgotten  friend, 
44 1  keep  the  tryst, n  I  heard  a  low  voice  say, 

44  Naught  shall  divide  us  till  Life  shall  end." 
Exultingly  I  waited  the  embrace  - 
Not  Death,  but  pale  Remorse,  unveiled  her  face ! 


\\ 


DISCIPLINE. 
A  S  ONE  who  hears  among  a  merry  throng 

JL1.A  perfect  voice,  singing  a  well-known  air, 
And  hearing  it  anew  in  cadence  rare, 

Wonders  that  he  was  ignorant  so  long 

Of  all  the  strength  and  beauty  of  the  song- 
And  hums  the  foolish  tune,  all  unaware 
T  was  the  sweet  singer  that  had  made  it  fair 

With  hidden  graces  which  to  Art  belong;  - 

So  may  a  Life,  based  on  a  common  theme, 

And  filled  with  petty  care  and  homely  strife, 

Be  so  divinely  lived  that  it  shall  seem 

Transfigured,  full  of  light,  with  blessings  rife,  - 

If  Discipline  perfect  the  singer's  art, 

Shall  not  the  same  power  glorify  the  heart  ? 


PREMONITION* 

I  DO  not  dread  an  altered,  roving  heart, 
Or  that  a  weary  length  of  land  or  sea 

May  separate  you,  dearest  friend,  from  me* 
Time  chooses  subtler  ways  to  ply  his  art* 
I  fear,  instead,  the  drifting  slow  apart, 

That  unresisted,  unrestrained  might  be,  - 
The  calm  possession  that  demands  no  fee, 
The  dull  indifference  that  feels  no  smart* 

As  two  light  skiffs,  that  floating  side  by  side, 

Through  peaceful  days  and  placid  summer  nights, 
Adown  some  inland  waters,  -  might  divide 

When  they  had  reached  the  ocean's  harbor  lights, 
And  sailing  with  the  tide,  be  sundered  far, 
Though  they  were  reckoning  by  the  selfsame  star ! 


13 


SLEEP. 

WHO  hath  so  many  enemies  as  Sleep ! 
Life  challenges  with  its  first  breathless  cry,  - 
The  stormy  bursts  of  youthful  woe  defy  - 
The  cares  of  middle  years  upon  her  creep  - 
Fear,  Grief,  Anxiety,  like  sentries,  keep 

(Perpetual  watch;  and  Love  and  Joy  ally 
Themselves,  her  claims  to  questions  and  deny, 
And  steal  her  fortresses  with  cunning  deep. 

Yet  who  is  so  victorious  in  the  strife ! 

Though  vanquished  oft,  familiar  with  disgrace 
Or  soon  or  late  she  conquers  every  foe, 

Inexorably  demands  her  prisoner,  -  Life: 

And  rears  a  slender  shaft  in  some  fair  place, 
To  mark  the  triumph  of  the  overthrow* 


J4 


A  CONTRAST. 

DEEM  him  thrice  fortunate,  to  whom  Life  shows 
An  unaverted  face  without  disguise* 
He  reads  no  mocking  riddles  in  her  eyes, 
Whose  grim  reply  a  prescient  sense  swift  knows,  - 
Onward,  serene  and  confident,  he  goes, 

"With  no  mirage  to  blur  his  morning  skies; 
He  fears  not  ambush,  battle,  nor  surprise 
Who  counts  his  friends  and  challenges  his  foes* 

What  of  that  other  one,  who  stands  anear,- 

A  hesitating  pensioner  of  choice, 
To  whom  all  things  in  masquerade  appear; 
Who,  seeking  Duty,  finds  a  tyrant's  rule 

So  merciless  that  he  mistrusts  her  voice, 
And  questions  if  he  be  slave  or  fool ! 


LETTERS. 

T""7RAIL  little  bridges  spanning  Life's  delay, 
A      Over  which  Love  may  safely  pass  with  fleet 
And  noiseless  steps,  a  waiting  heart  to  greet 
With  loving  words  that  longing  lips  would  say,  - 
Ah !  could  we  send  across  the  narrow  way 
Such  eloquence  as  eyes  to  eyes  repeat, 
When  tongues  are  silent,  and  the  pulses  beat 
In  sympathy  that  words  cannot  convey !  - 

I  send  them  forth  in  dainty  uniform, 

Crowned  with  the  beauty  of  an  honored  name, 
Across  a  continent,  through  sun  and  storm, 

Bearing  a  message  evermore  the  same* 

Each  one  I  cover  with  my  kisses  warm, 

Lest  curious  eyes  should  guess  from  whence  it  came ! 


WITHHELD. 

TT7ROM  man's  unnumbered  blessings,  God  ordained 

L      That  some  dear  treasure  should  be  held  apart, 

That  Heaven  might  be  the  haven  of  his  heart* 
And  to  make  less  the  loss,  which  love  explained, 
He  chose  two  angels  who  had  not  attained 
To  perfect  angel-hood,  but  who  the  smart 
Of  grief  had  not  forgotten,  nor  the  art 
Of  consolation  when  the  souPs  light  waned* 

One  chose  that  man  his  need  should  never  guess; 
The  other,  -  though  his  quest  be  fruitless,  yet 

Should  he  seek,  and  measure  thus  his  loss* 
Thus  they  decreed;  and  half  mankind  profess 
To  laugh  at  life;  and  half,  with  vain  regret, 

Seeking  for  gold  find  but  a  mocking  dross ! 


THE  FIELD-GLASS. 

'TpO-DAY  I  see,  as  through  a  perfect  lens, 

JL   All  things  in  clearest  outline  magnified; 

The  distant  hills  in  purple  shadows  hide 

Their  jagged  peaks,  and  smile  like  well-loved  friends; 

Into  my  happy  heart  their  peace  descends; 

A  fair,  transfigured  world,  with  vistas  wide, 
In  which  all  noblest  purposes  abide,  - 

Such  sorcery  a  nearer  vision  lends* 

To-morrow,  Fate  will  turn  the  magic  glass, 

And  far  and  dim  will  seem  this  golden  day,  - 

In  miniature  each  flitting  cloud  will  pass  - 
The  wooden  trees  against  a  painted  sky, 
Like  mute  interrogation  marks  will  lie, 

As  if  to  question  what  has  gone  away ! 


COMPARISON. 

Y  do  you  say  our  souls  are  one? n  she  said, 
"  You,  to  whom  Fortune  has  been  more  than  kin< 
No  single  flaw  in  all  your  life  I  find, 
You  hold  each  gift  that  I  have  coveted  - 
Love,  home,  an  honored  place  -  while  I,  instead, 
Try  to  forget  a  hungry  heart  and  mind* 
What  common  links  could  those  two  spirits  bind 
Of  one  who  feasts,  and  one  who  goes  unfed  ?  " 

Dear  friend,  it  is  in  this  we  are  akin,  - 

That  I,  to  whom  naught  else  has  been  denied, 
Except  the  blessing  that  I  longed  to  own, 

Still  grieve  for  the  one  boon  I  cannot  win; 
And  hold  as  worthless  every  thing  beside, 
And  strive  to  love,  but  find  my  heart  a  stone* 


PRAYER. 

NO  MORE  we  pray  as  once  our  fathers  prayed,  - 
As  confident  of  power  as  Jacob,  when 
He  wrestled  with  the  Angel !        Now  are  men 
Whom  Doubt  has  schooled,  grown  humble  and  afraid; 
They  dare  not,  were  it  possible,  persuade 

From  that  Omnipotence  beyond  their  ken, 
A  gift,  which  given,  they  fain  would  lose  again, 
Nor  blindly  choose  which  suffering  to  evade* 

Offer,  thou  suppliant  with  sorrow  spent, 

No  prayer,  save  that  thou  may  not  pray  amiss* 
What  blessing  could  thy  feeble  faith  evoke ! 

Thy  prayer  was  answered  when  thy  knee  was  bent,  - 
Deem  not  thy  good  more  tangible  than  this, 
That  thy  head  bowed  when  God  within  thee  spoke ! 


20 


A  HOLIDAY. 

*  I  rHESE  long  bright  days,  so  full  of  indolence, 
i.   Pass  by,  with  no  regret  to  mark  the  hours* 
Yet  can  I  feel  a  form  that  stealthy  cowers 

Behind  me,  and  imperiously  calls  me  hence* 

I  laugh  and  sing,  -  it  is  a  vain  pretence  - 
Defiantly  I  fill  my  hands  with  flowers, 
And  will  not  meet  the  face  that  darkening  lowers, 

And  claims  again  my  lost  allegiance* 

Ah,  jealous  Care !        You  will  not  let  me  go; 
And  I,  so  long  your  captive,  have  no  art 

By  which  I  can  escape  from  your  embrace* 
For  though  I  stay  or  fly,  I  surely  know 

That  we  are  comrades;  and  my  destined  part 
Is  the  reflection  of  your  weary  face ! 


2\ 


THE  GREAT  LOSS. 

PITY  not  him,  who,  standing  by  his  dead, 
Sees  not  the  gruesome  journey,  but  its  end, 
When  he  shall  greet  again  his  absent  friend;  - 
Nor  him,  for  whom  Grief's  bitterness  shall  shed 
New  light  o'er  destiny;  nor  him,  misled 

By  Doubt,  whose  hopelessness  shall  ever  rend 
His  heart,  e'en  though  he  turn  from  Death  to  send 
A  challenge  back  to  Life,  with  unbowed  head ! 

But  grieve  for  him,  who  tearless  flings  a  sneer 
At  love,  which  made  a  world  so  full  of  pain; 

And  counting  Life's  futility  the  whole, 
Scoffingly  jeers  at  all  that  men  hold  dear; 
And  living  in  To-day,  affects  disdain 

For  that  To-morrow  coming  to  his  soul! 


22 


RECOMPENSE. 

^T^HE  POET  speaks  his  word  to  human  need; 

JL    His  sympathy,  the  proof  of  battles  fought, 

And  his  authority,  the  Truth  he  sought* 

Yet  doth  he  fail  of  greatness,  if  he  heed 

Applause,  in  that  he  shares  the  common  greed* 
It  is  enough  for  him  that  he  has  wrought,  - 
Thrice  blest  indeed,  if  truthfully  he  taught 

In  fit  expression  a  diviner  creed ! 

With  single  heart  one  modelled  in  the  tower,  - 
And  scoffers  whispered,  as  they  stood  apart, 
That  none  might  see,  but  Angels'  silent  eyes ! 

Yet  how  august  the  audience !        Such  power 
Links  every  artist  to  his  chosen  Art, 
And  gives  that  guerdon  which  the  world  denies* 


CK  THE     " 

UNIVERSITY   1 

OF 

^ 


23 


QUESTION. 

WHICH  is  the  nobler  aim :  -  with  self  control 
To  choose  a  trivial  question  from  the  mass 
Of  problems  that  Humanity  harass, 
And  spend  each  power  to  reach  this  nearer  goal; 
Or  look  on  Life  as  an  indifferent  whole, 

And  view  from  point  remote  the  pageant  pass  • 
A  fleeting  image  in  a  darkened  glass  - 
Nor  note  its  kinship  to  the  passive  soul? 

If  by  such  Culture  we  attain  alone 

A  broad  horizon,  upon  which  we  gaze 
With  dull  perception  of  each  nearer  fact, 

We  miss  indeed  the  spirit's  undertone, 

And  satisfied  with  shadows,  tread  our  ways, 
Awake  to  see,  but  not  aroused  to  act* 


24 


DROUGHT* 

^T^HERE  is  a  drought  that  lasts  so  late  in  Spring, 
JL   That  every  tender  shoot  which  waits  for  rain, 
In  dewless  effort  spends  its  strength  in  vain* 

And  though  the  little  tendrils  bravely  cling, 

They  find  no  food,  and  languish  withering* 

At  last  the  copious  showers  no  more  refrain, 
Yet  come  too  late  Spring's  promise  to  regain, 

A  feeble  growth  or  blighted  bloom  they  bring* 

Thus  breathless*  for  my  promised  good,  I  wait, 
Keeping  alive  each  hope  as  best  I  may* 

Lest  when  my  summer  showers  at  last  descend 
They  find  my  heart  so  choked  with  Care  and  Hate, 
That,  unresponsive  from  the  long  delay* 

No  worthy  blossom  finds  its  fruitful  end* 


25 


GRIEF. 

I  MARVELLED  long  at  evanescent  grief,  - 
She  was  a  trespasser  -  a  transient  guest, 
Secretly  entertained  with  chill  protest, 
And  thrust  aside  for  trivial  things  and  brief,  - 
Of  fitful  passions  Sorrow  seemed  the  chief ! 

What  was  the  power  of  that  austere  behest, 
Which  laid  oblivion  on  hearts  distressed  ? 
What  incantation  brought  such  sure  relief  ? 

Ah  me !     No  more  the  haunting  thought  eludes,  - 
Grief's  crown  is  its  futility  foreseen* 

In  our  Gethsemane  we  are  aware 
Of  Reason  whispering  her  platitudes,  - 

And  stilled  by  introspective  vision  keen, 

"We  measure  Hope,  and  calculate  Despair ! 


26 


LESSONS* 

AS  A  WISE  mother,  the  long  evening  through, 
Hears  sobbing  in  the  dark  her  naughty  son, 
And  longs  to  enter,  take  the  little  one 
And  press  him  to  her  heart  so  warm  and  true, 
And  kiss  away  his  tears,  as  mothers  do,  - 

Yet  prays  for  strength  that  love  be  not  undone 
By  love,  while  yet  the  victory  is  not  won, 
So  answers  not  the  cry  she  listens  to,  - 

Thus  Discipline  achieves  her  double  part, 

Thus  Patience  reads  the  weary  lesson  o'er  - 
And  though  I  find  for  Love,  with  woman's  art , 

A  thousand  sweet  excuses  evermore, 

Stern  Honor  stands,  a  grim  unopened  door 
'Twixt  me  and  my  rebellious,  longing  heart* 


27 


THE  STRATAGEM. 

ONE  said  to  me,  "  Come,  let  me  plant,  I  pray, 
A  hedge  of  duties  round  your  life,  a  screen 
To  keep  you  in  a  little  world  serene,  - 
Sheltered  in  this  enclosure  you  shall  stay*" 
Then,  wearying  of  this  pretense  and  play, 

I  would  have  passed:  but  lo!  each  sapling  green 
Had  grown  a  tree,  with  thorny  vines  between, 
Which  tore  my  hands  and  shut  me  from  the  day* 

Ah,  cunning  jailer,  -  now  I  know  your  face 
And  well  I  know  the  fate  in  store  for  me! 

I  will  not  see  the  sky  above  my  place,  - 

Since  nothing  else  is  left  for  me  to  see  - 

But  gaze  around  my  prison's  narrow  space, 
In  dumb  rebellion  that  I  am  not  free ! 


28 


FAITHFUL  FAILURE. 

FIN  LIFE'S  battle  thou  hast  met  defeat, 
And  Love  and  Faith  lie  slain  upon  the  f ield, 
Bury  the  dead  at  night,  and  keep  concealed 
Thy  loss  from  curious  eyes*     Choose  thou  as  meet, 
A  requiem  with  a  major  cadence  sweet; 

And  raise  a  stone,  which  to  the  world  shall  yield 
Ambiguous  messages,  the  truth  to  shield 
Whether  it  mark  a  victory  or  retreat* 

Yet  count  thy  labor  lost,  if  thou  succeed 

In  cheating  others  only,  -  that  would  show 
Thee  but  a  bungling  novice  in  thy  art; 

Deceive  thyself,  lest  thou  become  indeed 
A  listener  at  graves,  intent  to  know 
If  walks  the  ghost  of  thy  long-buried  heart! 


29 


LIFE'S  GIFT. 

L~FE,  masquerading:  as  an  angel  fair, 
Came  noiseless  to  my  hearth,  and  said  "Behold, 
Thy  hidden  fortune  in  my  hands  I  fold; 
Come,  freely  choose,  the  right  or  left  declare!" 
"I  take  the  right"  I  said,  and  feared  no  snare  - 

Then  drew  forth  "Dull  Unhappiness"  with  cold 
And  trembling  fingers,  and  my  fate  foretold; 
I  wept  hot  tears  of  passionate  despair* 

"Nay,"  said  the  Angel,  "Thou  hast  chosen  well  - 
Now  get  thee  to  thy  life-long  task,  and  hide 

Thy  gift  that  none  suspect  nor  understand; 
And  lest  thou  shouldst  be  tempted  to  rebel, 

See,  I  will  show  thee  what  the  gods  provide"- 
"Stinging  Remorse"  was  in  the  other  hand! 


30 


PROTEST. 

ALL  THINGS  must  end,  -  would  that  it  were  not  so! 
There  is  no  hour  we  may  implore  to  stay. 
No  growth  that  is  not  followed  by  decay. 
There  is  no  tide  that  does  not  reach  its  flow, 
Then  straightway  ebb,  unheedingly  and  slow; 
The  sharpest  anguish  has  its  bitterest  day, 
The  warmest  love  at  last  will  fade  away,  - 
That  everything  must  cease,  we  surely  know* 

And  yet,  toward  Immortality  we  grope  - 
That  consolation  in  our  greater  griefs, 
That  firm  conviction  Reason  must  deny; 

Experience  counts  for  nothing  against  Hope  - 
Could  this  be  Life,  -  a  choice  of  unbeliefs  - 
Or  this  Success  -  to  live  the  lesser  lie ! 


TO 

NAY  LOVE,  I  dare  not  toward  your  future  glance, 
For  tears  so  long  with  me  have  had  abode. 
That  though  your  days  in  fairest  sunshine  glowed, 
I  should  perceive  but  Sorrow's  countenance* 
For  have  you  not  this  grim  inheritance  - 

A  will  that  lightly  lifts  a  thankless  load, 
A  keen,  exacting  conscience,  swift  to  goad, 
Joined  to  a  soul's  rebellious  arrogance  ? 

So,  on  the  day  when  you  take  up  the  task, 

From  which,  for  your  dear  sake,  I  would  not  part  - 
Let  this  drear  thought  a  consolation  be,  - 
That  all  its  weary  weight  was  known  to  me ! 
I  pray  you,  wear  with  better  grace  my  mask, 
And  hide  from  view  more  cunningly  your  heart ! 


32 


REPROOF  TO  SPRING. 

WHY  LOITER  like  a  tardy  boy,  who  fain 
Would  enter  weeping,  at  the  school  room  door: 
Do  you  not  know  that  youth  will  soon  be  o'er  - 
That  all  too  brief  will  be  your  happy  reign, 
And  what  is  lost,  can  ne'er  be  won  again  ? 

Be  then  more  worldly  wise,  nor  careless  pour 
The  time  away,  that  can  return  no  more, 
But  leaves,  ill-spent,  a  memory  of  pain* 

Stern  Winter  flatters,  but  would  take  by  force 

Your  first,  short,  doubtful  days;  they  are  so  brief 
You  think  they  have  not  worth  the  keeping  grown: 

Then  stealthy  Summer  creeps  along  your  course, 
To  filch  your  latter  days  of  bloom  and  leaf 
And  undisputed,  add  them  to  her  own ! 


33 


RESIGNATION* 

I  DARED  NOT  any  resignation  claim, 
Lest  on  the  day  wherein  I  could  forget, 
I  should  despise  myself  for  sorrow's  debt, 
And  for  lack  of  constancy,  cry  "  Shame !" 
I  counted  it  dishonor  to  defame 

My  vanished  hope  by  passionless  regret, 
And  blamed  a  fickle  heart,  if  losing,  yet 
Life  could  be  fair,  or  friendship  still  the  same  I 

Long  I  rebelled  in  loyal  solitude, 

Till  no  new  loss  could  rouse  me  to  surprise: 

But  when  at  last  I  had  achieved  the  mood 

Which  I  thought  patience,  or  its  counterpart, 
Conscience  awoke,  and  showed  in  this  disguise, 

The  cowardice  of  an  impassive  heart* 


34 


CUPID'S  WAY. 
A  S  PAINFULLY  I  trod  my  hilly  way, 

AjLA  pilgrim  passed  me,  singing  as  he  went* 

I  liked  him  well,  -  we  climbed  the  steep  ascent, 

And  talked  of  Life,  of  this,  and  that,  all  day* 

But  when  he  spoke  of  Love,  I  answered  "Nay, 
Experience  is  my  master,  and  content, 
I  speak  but  what  I  know,  nor  tales  invent,  - 

There  is  no  one  named  Love  to  lead  astray ln 

"Ah,  say  you  so ?    Then  by  Experience  learn  \n 
Swift  from  his  side  he  drew  the  keenest  dart, 

And  aiming  straight,  with  careless  unconcern, 

He  lodged  it  deep  in  my  once  doubting  heart ! 

More  silently  I  lean  upon  my  staff, 

And  prate  no  more  of  Love,  lest  Cupid  laugh ! 


35 


APRIL. 

I  KNOW  not  if  to  hate  or  to  disdain 
This  wayward  April,  -  month  of  discontent ! 
She  wearies  by  her  moods  inconsequent. 
Her  tedious  tears,  and  sudden  laughter  vain,  - 
Whether  she  coquet,  or  plaintively  complain, 
She  moves  me  not  by  any  sound  or  scent, 
Her  witcheries  fall  on  ears  indifferent, 
Like  monotone  of  the  insistent  rain. 

Is  she  a  mirror  to  the  restless  heart  - 
A  type  of  indecision  to  the  soul 

That  seeks  in  Nature  but  its  counterpart  ? 

Or  is  this  month  more  wearisome  and  drear, 
To  one  who  finds  no  meaning  in  the  whole  - 

Than  every  season  of  the  lagging  year  ? 


36 


DELAY. 

BAFFLING  Delay !    Could  we  but  know  her  wise, 
Then  might  we  judge  if  Pity  or  Disdain 
Times  the  slow  pace  we  chafe  against  in  vain ! 
When  we  would  haste,  in  impotent  surprise, 
We  feel  a  cold,  detaining  touch,  that  lies 

Chill  on  the  pulse  that  throbs  with  feverish  pain; 
With  grave  denial,  the  desired  gain 
She  still  withholds,  indifferent  to  our  sighs* 

True,  Time  affirms  her  wisdom  and  reproves 
Impatient  hearts  that  fret  at  her  restraint; 

And  yet,  despite  Experience,  which  moves 
Our  hearts  to  wait  with  stoical  assent,  - 

'T  is  slow-pulsed  Age  alone,  without  complaint 
Who  waits  her  tardy  bounty  in  content* 


37 


THE  BARGAIN* 

WITH  POVERTY  a  bargain  once  I  made,  - 
To  share  my  hearthstone  cheerfully  with  her* 
And  be  all  through  the  day  her  prisoner; 
But  when  the  night  should  come*  her  hateful  shade 
Should  not  molest  me:  this  was  all  I  prayed* 

And  though  I  knew  I  could  not  Fate  deter* 
I  cared  not  who  might  be  the  messenger* 
If  her  unwelcome  face  I  might  evade* 

Ah  me !    I  would  that  I  had  been  content 

With  wholesome  Poverty  to  share  my  bed! 

For  Fear  lies  close*  and  with  convulsive  start 
Wakes  me  from  sleep  to  new  imprisonment; 
And  Care  lies  constantly,  a  weight  of  lead 

That  will  not  lift*  across  my  aching  heart ! 


38 


SUNSET. 

AS  ONE,  who,  gazing  on  the  western  sky, 
Beholds  it  flash  from  rainbow  tints  to  gold, 
Until  the  mountain  peaks,  forbidding,  bold, 
Wear  crowns  of  light  and  robes  of  crimson  dye,  - 
Then,  satisfied,  he  eastward  turns  his  eye 

And  sees  a  landscape  dim  and  dun  unfold  - 
And  wondering  why  his  heart  shivers  with  cold, 
Feels  suddenly  the  chill  of  evening  nigh,  - 

So  I,  whose  days,  transfigured  by  your  grace, 

And  quickened  by  your  thought  to  f ruitf ulness, 

See  my  bleak  way  glow  with  reflected  light; 
And  so  my  life  appears  without  your  face  - 
A  vast  horizon,  gray  and  colorless, 

Already  purpling  into  starless  night ! 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 


39 


ASPIRATION. 

AS  ONE  who  hears  a  symphony,  and  fast 
Through  restless  pulses  feels  it  throb  and  thrill, 
And  all  his  waking  thoughts  and  fancies  fill 
With  haunting  memories,  and  he  tries  at  last 
To  reproduce  the  dim  impression  past,- 

But  the  enchanting  theme  eludes  him,  till 
He  bids  the  tuneless  music  to  be  still, 
Finding  the  actual  mocks  the  ideal  vast,  - 

So  seems,  alas,  my  life;  at  best,  a  small 
Weak  fragment  of  a  melody,  -  a  tone 

Struck  now  and  then  in  tune  with  those  that  fall 
Upon  my  spirit's  ear !    O  loss  unknown ! 

That  this,  from  heavenly  cadences,  is  all 

My  trembling  soul  can  sound  and  call  its  own ! 


or 
UNIVERSITY  \ 

OF 


40 


0, 


30W-1 


173691 


